What is a SOC 3 report and do I need one?
A SOC 3 is the public, general-use summary of a SOC 2 Type 2 audit. You likely do not need one unless you want a shareable trust document; most B2B buyers still ask for the full SOC 2.
The full answer
A SOC 3 report covers the same audit as a SOC 2 Type 2 but strips out the confidential detail. It keeps the auditor's opinion and a short system overview, and it drops the full system description, the specific controls, and the detailed test results. Because it contains no sensitive information, it is a general-use report you can post publicly or hand to anyone without an NDA.
That is the core trade-off. A SOC 2 report is confidential and shared under NDA, so it is what a prospect's security team reviews line by line. A SOC 3 is the public summary version, useful as a trust badge on your website or a quick reassurance for smaller buyers who will not sign an NDA. You cannot get a SOC 3 on its own; a CPA firm produces it from a completed SOC 2 engagement.
Do you need one? Usually not at first. Enterprise security questionnaires commonly request a SOC 2 Type 2, and that report satisfies almost every serious procurement review. A SOC 3 becomes worthwhile mainly when you want marketing-friendly proof that anyone can download.
If you already commission a SOC 2 through the AuditNex network, where audits start at $2,500 and average about $5,000, ask whether a SOC 3 can be added from the same engagement. That is far cheaper than treating it as a separate audit, since the underlying testing is already done.
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Related questions
Are SOC 2 reports public?
No. A SOC 2 report is confidential and shared only under NDA with customers, prospects, and auditors. If you want a freely shareable version, the public summary is a SOC 3 report.
Can I share my SOC 2 report with prospects?
Yes, but almost always under an NDA. SOC 2 reports are confidential, so companies share them with prospects and customers after a signed non-disclosure agreement. For a freely shareable version, use a SOC 3.
Can buyers verify my SOC 2 report is real?
Yes. Buyers verify a SOC 2 by confirming the signing CPA firm is licensed, checking the report period and opinion, and often contacting the firm directly. A real report names a licensed firm and follows AICPA formatting.
Can one SOC 2 report cover multiple products?
Yes. One SOC 2 report can cover multiple products or systems as long as they share the same control environment and you define that scope clearly in the system description. Many companies audit their whole platform in a single report.
How long is a SOC 2 report valid?
There is no formal expiry — the AICPA sets none. In practice, buyers treat a SOC 2 report as current for about twelve months from its period end date, then expect a fresh Type 2.
What are complementary user entity controls (CUECs)?
Complementary user entity controls, or CUECs, are controls the service organization assumes its customers will operate for the overall controls to work. They are listed in the SOC 2 report, and the auditor does not test them.
Sources: AICPA SOC report classifications (SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3); AuditNex network rate card, 2026. Answer written and maintained by the AuditNex research team; last reviewed July 26, 2026. AuditNex is a marketplace — accredited firms price and scope engagements independently.